Presentation Ideas from Recycling Association Members

Members of the Iowa Recycling Association Education Committee have shared some of their best program ideas. To obtain more information about a program, click on a title below. To submit your own idea, please click here. After a review process, your idea may be posted on this webpage.

Don't Trash That Planet Interactive CD-RomSubmitted by: Kim Grieve, Siouxland Regional Recycling Center, Sioux City, Iowa Type of program: Other: Interactive CD-ROMAudience: Pre -K-8 grades; Pre -K to 12 grade teacher groupApplicable subject areas: ScienceDescription: "Don't Trash That Planet!" is an interactive program designed to educate elementary school children regarding the importance of recycling as well as how to recycle, what to recycle, how to identify household hazardous materials and proper disposal of HHM's. The program features 3 different interactive games that children may play, and in the end the child may print out a certificate of completion bearing the child's name.

Environmental AdventureSubmitted by: Pam Blake Type of program: Other: 4-hour eventAudience: Easily adaptable to all grade levels and to most adult groupsApplicable subject areas: Family and Consumer Sciences, Math, ScienceDescription: A day of fun for the whole family. Free tours of the landfill, demonstrations, materials and displays. This is free fishing weekend at the landfill site, and all guests need to bring their own picnic basket/box, lawn chairs/blanket, and a side dish. Grilled burgers, beverage, and a dirt dessert will be provided for a fee of $1.50 per person.

Library Reading ProgramSubmitted by: Kristin Simon, East Central Iowa Council of Gov., Cedar Rapids Type of program: PresentationAudience: Pre-K-2 gradesApplicable subject areas: English Language Arts, ReadingDescription: Read Agatha's Feather Bed, an illustrated picture book about where things come from. Then use a globe to talk about what materials are used to make paper, plastics and other products.

Recycling/Resource RelaySubmitted by: Kristin Simon, East Central Iowa Council of Gov., Cedar Rapids Type of program: GameAudience: Pre-K-5 gradesApplicable subject areas: Science, Social StudiesDescription: Discuss what is recycled locally and how materials should be prepared. Have as many bins and signs as needed for what is to be sorted. Set materials bin and "sort" bins as far apart as space allows. Participants have 60 seconds to sort material into the proper bins.

Recycling: What does it really mean?Submitted by: Mary Gillaspey, Metro Waste Authority, Des Moines, IA Type of program: Lesson PlanAudience: 3-5 gradesDescription: We talk about what can be recycled in the community, where materials go for processing, and why recycling is important.

Stump the DumpSubmitted by: Dave Klockau, City Carton Recycling, Iowa City, IA Type of program: PresentationAudience: 3-12 th grades; 18-22 year olds; Pre-K-12 grade teacher group; easily adaptable to most adult groupsApplicable subject areas: Family and Consumer Sciences, Science, Social StudiesDescription: I ask the audience to pick out a graphic in the poster, such as an appliance, furniture, battery, etc. I then provide the alternatives to landfilling the item. I mount the poster in a lightweight poster frame so that I can walk and talk with it.

Yes I Can!
Submitted by: Erin Robinson, Waste Commission of Scott County, Davenport, Iowa Type of program: VideoAudience: Pre-K-5 gradesApplicable subject areas : ScienceDescription: This short 15 minute video takes you through the "life" of a steel can. Starting on the grocery store shelf, we follow the can into a home, to the trash bag, and then to the landfill. The can finds other friends who want to be recycled and they make their way to a recycling center. The video comes full circle when the can ends up on the grocery store shelf sometime later.